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Don't you wish you could peer inside your baby's head and get an idea of what she's thinking — or why she's crying? Teaching her some simple sign language can help. It reduces frustration for both of you by allowing your baby to communicate before she's able to say real words (her pudgy little fingers are easier for her to control than her vocal cords right now). And it doesn't interfere with her spoken language development — in fact, most experts say the reverse is true. As you teach the signs, you spend a great deal of time talking with your baby, which is the best way to help her learn to speak.

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Now's a good time to start, since at nine months, your baby is at an age when she's becoming more communicative and sociable — looking at you and then at her toy, for example, to indicate that she wants you to see what she's doing — and producing all kinds of coos and babbles.

Many hospitals, community centers, and other organizations offer classes, and you can also find books on baby sign language at your library. But it's easy to try on your own too. Many parents begin with signs related to food and drink — after all, your baby probably loves to eat, and it's something she does several times a day (giving you lots of opportunities to introduce and reinforce the sign). For example, you might try teaching her the sign for "more" so she can tell you when to refill her plate. You can make up your own sign or use an existing one — some sign-language systems suggest touching the fingertips together a few times to indicate "more." Show your baby the sign while you say the word, using it over and over again in a few different sentences. Consistency and repetition are key: Use the sign every time you say the word. It may take a few days or even weeks for her to pick up on the sign and use it herself — so be patient and keep it low-key. Make it a game you play together. The idea is to reduce frustration for both of you, not add to it.